Q&A for How to Make Silly Putty

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  • Question
    Is this non-toxic?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, it is toxic. There are alternate methods without any of the harmful ingredients, such as detergent and borax.
  • Question
    Can I use baking soda instead of borax?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use it to make silly putty. But you need to use a different method to use baking soda as an ingredient.
  • Question
    Can I use any kind of glue in the baby powder slime?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It is suggested to use the normal white glue, instead of the clear glue. It will have better consistency.
  • Question
    How can I make Silly Putty without glue?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Use the following ingredients: shampoo, shower gel, salt, borax, cornstarch, liquid starch, flour, baby powder, liquid laundry detergent, and powdered detergent.
  • Question
    Can I just make it with only glue and 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You cannot mix glue and shampoo together as it will not form silly putty. Conditioner will make the consistency thinner instead of making the ingredients stick and join. The best methods are using laundry detergent and glue or borax and glue.
  • Question
    Why is everything to make slime unhealthy?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Slime is unhealthy. It is suggested that you use a bowl you will never use again after making silly putty in it, especially when using something toxic like laundry detergent.
  • Question
    Will the food coloring rub off on my hands and other things?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. The ingredients will absorb the color, but it may wear off if the consistency is incorrect or the method is not suitable.
  • Question
    Can foot powder be substituted for baby powder?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but the consistency will not satisfy you, and it will not form the perfect texture of silly putty.
  • Question
    Should I try this if my parents aren't home?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    That's your decision. Either ask your mom to hand you the ingredients or do it when they aren't home.
  • Question
    Can I use clear glue to make silly putty?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can use clear glue. You can make it fancier by adding glitter.
  • Question
    How can I make putty not sticky?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You need to knead it for quite a while for it to actually harden up. If that doesn't work, add baby powder or flour (only a little bit) and it should help.
  • Question
    Will the silly putty stick to my hands after using it?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It will be a little messy after kneading it for the first time while you're making it but after it is completely finished, the putty will not stick to your hands. It may stick to fabric though.
  • Question
    What will happen if kept the silly putty made of detergent and glue in the fridge for too long?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It might harden and be hard to bend again. If so, let it warm up completely at room temperature, then knead for a time with your hands. If it doesn't soften, you'll need to make a new batch. When storing in the fridge, be sure to use an airtight container or bag to prevent the air from getting in.
  • Question
    Can I keep the putty for a long time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, only if the correct ingredients are used; there is no contact with air; and the right consistency is there.
  • Question
    What can I do if I didn't mix it correctly and the solution is very runny?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Add more powder or the powdery substance you were using. If that doesn't work, then freeze it.
  • Question
    Are there any methods using alternate ingredients?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Either of the following: •Borax and glue •Laundry detergent and glue •Shampoo and Talc •Baby powder and glue •Corn starch or liquid corn starch and glue •Shampoo and salt •Shampoo and shower gel •Glue and contact lens washer
  • Question
    Can I use other glue than Elmer's glue for this?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as the glue is liquid like Elmer's glue, then it should be okay to use.
  • Question
    What happens if I add too much laundry detergent?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The laundry detergent will make the putty really runny. Add small increments at first until your putty is the consistency you want.
  • Question
    When I tried the laundry detergent method, it would not turn into putty. Why?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You might have poured in too much laundry detergent. Try mixing in smaller amounts at a time.
  • Question
    How do I keep my silly putty from drying out?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Air tight containers, jars, and packets are suggested to keep your silly putty from coming into contact with air as it may harden.
  • Question
    Do we have to mix the powdered laundry detergent with water?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If you have powdered laundry detergent, add some water to form it into liquid, and then keep adding amounts of it into glue or clear glue and stir. Again add the detergent mixture into the glue and keep doing that until the elements stick to each other and start clearing the bowl.
  • Question
    Can I use corn starch instead of baby powder?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, corn starch and baby powder are very similar in chemical makeup. Another solution would be talcum powder, but any starch would work.
  • Question
    Can I make liquid starch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can make it by using distilled water and rice. Let it soak the rice and then use a stringer.
  • Question
    How can I prevent it from drying out so quickly?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can put it in a resealable plastic bag or other airtight container.
  • Question
    To make soap slime, after mixing the ingredients, do I need to put it in the fridge?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No, but if the consistency is not satisfying, wet, and still incorrect, it is suggested to let it settle by placing it in the freezer.
  • Question
    Could you use flour and soap to make putty?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but use water that is extremely saturated in salt instead of soap. Soap drys out very quickly, but the salty water lets you play with it all day. You can also try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil, and as the coconut oil melts while you play, it helps the putty to almost never dry out.
  • Question
    Can I use any kind of baby powder for the silly putty?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use just about any kind of baby powder. Avoid powders that contain other additives, such as fragrances, absorbancy, etc. You want just basic baby powder.
  • Question
    Does this feel like real Silly Putty?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The methods of baby powder and glue or shampoo and shower gel do not give the feel of real silly putty. The best methods are corn starch and glue or detergent and glue.
  • Question
    What is liquid starch?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Liquid starch can make clothes look brand new, and is used is for cleaning, ironing and making crafts.
  • Question
    Can I use tacky glue?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can try, but tacky glue is very thick. If the putty does not turn out right, try mixing a little bit of water into the glue, then trying the recipe again.
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